Sebastopol history

Sebastopol Timeline: 1800s

1836 Occupied by aborigines.

1837 August 16: Probable arrival of first white land seekers.

1837-38 First white settlers. Henry Anderson settled on the Woolshed Creek at east end of Bala Street, but gave the area over to 18 year old William Cross Yuille. Anderson went south, about three miles, and settled on what was then Saltwater Creek. He later sold to Jock Winter, who renamed the area 'Bonshaw'. Archie Yuille built the first house in the Sebastopol area, on the south side of the Woolshed Creek, so named because Yuille had built a woolshed on the east side of the Yarrowee Creek.

1838-51 Stock routes had become well worn roads. The main ones being: the Government Road, which later became Albert Street; Three Chain Road, which was the route to Trawalla, Raglan, Elmshurst, Crowlands, Glenorchy, Four Posts and Horsham. Portland Bay Road which went more or less from the south end of Sebastopol, across west of Waterholes, and through the Ranges. There were no towns at this time. The main Geelong to Portland road, marked on early map.

1851 February 6: Black Thursday when all the country was burnt out. Black Hill became so named because of this. Discovery of gold at Clunes, Buninyong and Ballarat.

1851-54 When gold was discovered, the Main Road was the stock route. Being in the wet season Winter's Flat became a bog, and so the prospectors kept to the east side of the creek, and so the road became the Miners Road. This road was used for many years. It later became the main road in Magpie Gully, which during the working of the Frenchmans, Whitehorse, Raglan and other leads, became quite a busy place, with many hotels, stores and shops. The Wesleyan Church was on the hill to the centre and the first Welsh Chapel was about quarter of a mile to the north.

1852-54 First church services held in slab hut at Magpie Gully. This place was east of the Magpie Methodist Church on the old Miners Road. A plaque was on the wall of this house up until the 1940s.

1854 December 3: Eureka rising, a large number of people took refuge from the licence hunters in Magpie Gully. Whitehorse lead opened up.

1854-55 Siege of Sebastopol in Russia, October 9, 1854 to September 18,1855. 'Sebastopol' was named because of the blasting in the rock at the Frenchmans Lead, it went under the plateau.

1855-56 Four tent camps within the boundary of Sebastopol.

1855 'Redan', that locality without a boundary, but, because a part is in Sebastopol, was also named during the sedge of Sebastopol.

1856 First steam engine erected in Sebastopol by James Cuthbertson, on the claim No 35 on the Frenchmans Lead (the Equitable Co).

1856 May: Cumberland, Durham and Cornish Co, Round Tower Co and United Miners Co began sinking their shafts. Cobblers Lead opened up and Cobblers Township established. Cobblers was the area surrounding Queen Street. Mr John Wall of Sebastopol appointed first mining surveyor on the district goldfields. 1856 March 7: Frontage regulations first operated at Frenchmans or Sebastopol Lead. First Wesleyan Church in Sebastopol, vicinity of Victoria Street.

1856-60 Many famous Sebastopol alluvial mines commenced operations.

1857 Magpie Gully school No 415 in use.

1858 From the Miner and Weekly Star December 31, 1858 report: The Welsh residents of Ballarat held a grand Eisteddfod in the United Presbyterian Church, Armstrong Street on Christmas Day. The Welsh choirs performing were: Ballarat Welsh Choir, Sebastopol Welsh Choir, and Cambrian Hill Welsh Choir. Prizes were competed for in duets, recitations and rehearsals. This Eisteddfod continued for a number of years always on Christmas Day. (Extract from the diary of a Welsh swagman, December 1869: I walked ten miles to the Welsh Eisteddfod at Ballarat on Christmas Day). This Eisteddfod was the fore runner of the famous South Street Competitions, and was held as early as 1858 and still recorded in 1882. The Eisteddfod changed dates to St David's Day, March 1.

1858 October 4: Albion Mining Co began sinking their shaft. Woolshed lead opened up. Welsh Chapel opened in Cobblers.

1859 A prosperous year in Sebastopol, shops, stores, hotels and homes being built.

1860 April 24: Extensive flooding.

1861 A Miss Kent had a Girl's School near the Albion No.1 mine. Welsh Presbyterian Church established. Zion Congregational Church established.

1861 September 9: Sebastopol Common School No 578 came into being, presided over by Edward Swiss. Sebastopol and district population estimated at 20 000.

1862 February 28: First race meeting at Miners Racecourse.
1862 April: Nelson and Wellington lead discovered in Nelson mine. The dispute between the Nelson Co and the Red Jacket Co settled in the Court of Mines. They divided the gold.
1862 July 16: The Bonshaw Co paid Jock Winter £20 000 for 640 acres freehold.

1863 Sebastopol police station opened and police reserve established. January: Miners reserve became Miners Racecourse. First crushing of quartz in Sebastopol at the Prince of Wales mine.

1864 January 1: Edward Whatty presides over the Common School No 578, which was on the site of the Anglican Church.
1864 March 13: Wesleyan Church opened in Cheshunt Street.
1864 April 28: Mechanics'' Institute opened.
1864 June 12: Orion Masonic Lodge opens in Mechanics' Institute.
1864 November 1: Sebastopol constituted a borough.
1864 December 12: Election of first Sebastopol council. The first meetings to build the Mechanics' Institute and the separation from the Shire of Buninyong were held in Barkley's Great Dutch Harry Hotel, which was in Albert Street opposite the present Ritchie's Supermarket. This hotel was shifted to Stawell about 1870. Thomas Dickenson takes over slaughterhouse after being in charge. The slaughterhouse and the meat works finally closed down about 1914.

1865 W J Clark also had a large butchering business in Cobblers Gully, this could have been the business taken over by Thomas Dickenson.
1865 January 4: First meeting of the council in Mechanics' Institute, and the council paid the Institute £25 per year for the use of an upper room.
1865 March 3: Foundation stone laid at Carmel Church.
1865 May 4: A branch of the IOR Lodge first meeting in Mechanics' Institute.
1865 July 11: 12 000 letters and newspapers pass through Post Office in three months. Post Office in Luth's Store, Victoria Street.
1865 July 27: Population estimated at 7000.
1865 August 14: Gas Co given permission by Council to extend mains to the borough.
1865 September 4: Constable Darling appointed Inspector of Sebastopol at £12 per annum. November 6: Bank of Victoria, Sebastopol opens business with the borough. R C Briston manager. November 8: St George Reserve proclaimed. January 16: Clock in Town Hall presented by Messrs Levinson and Meanowski. Recreation reserve established, 10 acres (Withers history) but E Jenkins centenary book states: 1868 The grant was issued on May 20, 1887.

1866 February 25: Magpie Wesleyan Church opened.

1867 April 8: Opening of Welsh Presbyterian Church in Welsh and English. Boom year for all Sebastopol alluvial mines.
1867 June 10: First issue of the Ballarat Courier.
1867 July 7: First Rubicon Street Methodist Church opened.
1867 July 7: Tender of £600 to build the Holy Trinity Church by Taylor and Ellis. H R Casseli designer.
1867 October 1: Foundation stone laid at Holy Trinity Church.
1867 November 21: Boiler blew up at Guiding Star mine causing extensive damage.
1867 December 8: The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Alfred) visits the borough and the Albion No 1 mine. First council offices built by Thomas and Cooke for the sum of £604-16-0. Loyal Prince Alfred Lodge branch formed in Sebastopol.

1868 June 23: Sebastopol Primitive Methodist Church foundation stone laid.
1868 July 20: The council plant blue gum trees in Albert Street. Residents to pay 10/- each but if they did not pay, they did not get a tree.
1868 September 27: Primitive Methodist Church opened.
1868 October 26: Tender by Taylor and Ellis to build Town Hall for £1056.

1868 December 31: Town water connected to the borough. First Fire Brigade formed (Mr Muller first Captain) and received a donation from council for equipment. First rifle range used. Many notable people visit Sebastopol, including the Earl and Countess of Belmore - Miss Gladstone. Winters Freehold Mining Co floated and then purchased land for 25 000 sovereigns and a £25 000 cheque from the famous Jock Winter who originally squatted on the whole of the land that later became Sebastopol.

1869 January 12: Sebastopol Masonic Lodge first meeting.
1869 March 2: Fire Brigade first practice.
1869 March 19: Sebastopol Town Hall opened.
1869 September 30: Eight day clock presented to the Baptist Church by W Meanowski.
1869 November 11: Post Offices were at Cobblers township and Redan.
1869 November 15: Letter delivery began for first time at Sebastopol at 8.00am from the Post Office in Luth's Store, Victoria Street.

1865-70 Town gas comes to the borough.

1870 January: The Ballarat and Sebastopol Miners Union formed. This was the first miners union in Victoria.
1870 January 6: 34 shafts south of the reserve to be filled in at a total cost of £40.
1870 January 17: Sebastopol council opened Telegraphic communication with Ballarat.
1870 February 17: Sebastopol Cricket Club apply to council for permission to lease the recreation reserve. Moved that this council adopt the 8-hour day for hired labourers. The great storm of 1870 caused considerable damage. The Whitehorse bridge cost £250 to repair. Three toll gates in use in Sebastopol.

1871 May 3: 10/- reward for the conviction for damaging the public gardens; also the Welsh Baptist Church held a picnic in the gardens located in the reserve. Alluvial mining declining. December 11: Gas lamps replace kerosene lamps.

1865-72 There were five private schools in Redan and the same number in Sebastopol.

1873 January 22: Sebastopol State School No 1167 officially opened, but classes were held in Holy Trinity Hall and Primitive Methodist Church, with W E Whatty the first head teacher. Local school of design operating at Mechanics' Institute. Sebastopol Fire Brigade compete along with 13 other brigades in Melbourne at the first fire demonstration held in Victoria.

1874 Many alluvial mines wound up and Prince of Wales mine flooded out.

1875 January: New Sebastopol State School No 1167 in Yarrowee Street first occupied. Redan State School No 1289 opened. John Dennant first head teacher.
1875 February 13: Toll gates abolished. All alluvial mines flooded out.

1876 Winters freehold only mine working in Sebastopol. The City of Melbourne Bank in business at Sebastopol (almost on the same site as the present State Savings Bank), courtesy of LaTrobe Lib.

1877 Winters Freehold Co taken over by Bank of Victoria.

1878 The Guiding Star claim again taken up and rich quartz located in the old workings.
1878 January 10: Maximum temperature 114 degrees F.

1879 Star of the East Quartz Co began operations.

1880 Star of the East Co commences sinking shaft. Visit of Duke of Clarence and York, Prince Albert, Victor and George, and Marquis of Normandy. Winters Freehold Co closes down, last of the alluvial mines. Sebastopol Brass band formed under bandmaster Sammy Prout. Photo: courtesy Mytle Davies.

1882 Edwards Pyrites Works established.

1883 1884 1885 No gold produced in Sebastopol.

1885 The store 'Melbourne House' built and occupied by C Blyth & Son. The store is still here in 1980.

1886 The Star of the East Co find rich ore. The South Star, Sebastopol plateau and Central plateau begin sinking their shafts. Two plans to drain the plateau of Sebastopol were suggested but never got beyond the suggestion.

1887 Queen Victoria's Jubilee; visit of Lord Brassey. First rifle club formed in vicinity of Pyrites works.

1889 E Jenkins Butcher established. Still in family in 1980, and the oldest established business still in Sebastopol.

1890 Sebastopol brass band functioning.
1890 April 5: Sporting World first issue, popular in Sebastopol. Visit of Lord Hopetoun to christen the 100 head battery at Star of the East No. 1 mine.
1890 October 30: Ladies local clothing society operating.

1892 Several hotels closed down by local option.

1893 September 3: Foundation stone laid for second Rubicon Street Methodist Church on NE corner of Rubicon and Talbot Streets.
1893 April: Horse tram service comes to Sebastopol. Football and cricket teams were competing in Sebastopol from a very early period. l have a medal from the Magpie cricket club 1895, and also one from the Sebastopol cricket club, dated 1896. An Horticultural Society was in Sebastopol even at the time of the building of the Mechanics'' Institute. A Dramatic society was also very active in the early 1900s.

1895 August: John Edmund Jones at the age of 24 years was elected to the Sebastopol council, and after several terms as Mayor, he died while still a councillor on 13 July 1939. He was Sebastopol's longest serving councillor, serving for 44 years.

1895-1900 Electricity comes to Sebastopol.

1897 Severe earthquake shock.

Sebastopol Timeline: 1900s

1900 Roller skating at Mechanics' Institute.

1901 May 13: Visit of Duke and Duchess of York to South Star Mine, Sebastopol. Later King George 5th The Duke changed his clothes in the manager's house opposite. This house still there at 122 Albert Street. A junior fire brigade in Sebastopol.

1902 Prince of Wales and Bonshaw Quartz mine closes down.

1903 South Star Co ceases operations, but re-opens in 1905. The Central Plateau Co opens up the old Red Jacket shaft.

1907 ANA Lodge. Still in Sebastopol. Loyal Prince Alfred Lodge in Sebastopol. South Star mine becomes the deepest shaft in all Ballarat - 3170 feet.

1909 South Star mine finally closes down. Sebastopol Old Boys Association founded.
1909 October 10: Horse tram sheds burnt down, several horses burnt to death. This was on the site of the present St James' school. Fireman Charles J Raine of the Sebastopol Fire Brigade was awarded the Royal Humane Society medal for rescuing W Angus from the fire.

1909-13 After the tram sheds fire the horses were stabled at V Jermyn's sheds at Rubicon Street.

1910 Sebastopol Tennis Club established. Some of the first members included: Alf Boyack, caps. who played football for Collingwood in 1901/02; Miss Lily Ling, who later became principal of Ballarat High School, and Miss Galvin, who was Post Mistress at Sebastopol Post Office for a great many years. E Collins, second hand yard commenced, present A H Collins store.

1911 September 8: Foundation stone laid by Dr Higgins for building St Josephs Home.

1911-12 Tom Downer (of Downe's sauce factory) runs a silent picture show in the Town Hall every Saturday night.

1912 June 8: Saturday becomes a half holiday.
1912 September 26: Sebastopol Choral Society formed. Cambrian Society formed in Mechanics' Institute. (Ceased about 1925).

1913 February 2: St Joseph's Home opened by Dr Higgins, Catholic Bishop of Ballarat. April 14: Last horse tram disappears from Sebastopol. August 14: First electric tram to Sebastopol.

1914 Two weighbridges in Sebastopol, one near the Mechanics' Institute, the other near Rubicon Street. Late Perc White of Sebastopol was the first recruit through the gate to enlist in the first world war, he finished up No 22. (his own words).

1914-16 Franklin's slaughter house in business at east end of Bala Street.

1914-20 Junior military cadets training at Manchester Unity Hall, which is still there and is the only remaining building which was part of the mines in all of Ballarat.

1915 Many Sebastopol men killed at Gallipoli.

1917 Birdwood Avenue dedicated.
1917 January 1: Daylight saving operating. First Sebastopol troop Boy Scouts Association began.

1918 Last mine closed in all Ballarat on NW corner of Walker and Grant Streets, Sebastopol. Central Plateau No 2.

1919 Great War ends and soldiers return.

1920 1st concrete gutter in Sebastopol put in along north side of Bridge Street. Put underground in 1977. Silent pictures again showing in Town Hall, this time by W Rash Snr.
1920 September: Sebastopol Football club won the premiership in the Ballarat Association.

1920-34 Mens basketball competition in Holy Trinity Hall.

1921 Hume Pipe Co commences operations on the north west corner of Queen and Spencer Streets. They used up all the good white gravel in Sebastopol, worked for a few years.

1922 December 6: Ballarat sewerage treatment works commence development (on edge of Sebastopol).
1922 December 8: V Jermyn's store burnt down.
1922 or 1923 Sebastopol Football club changed their colors from blue and white to blue and gold.

1923 Redan Old Scholars Association formed. First motor cars in Sebastopol owned by: E Schreenan, T Hughes, D Lewis, E Jones, E Jenkins and F Smith. First motor bike owned by V Jermyn. James' Owen (Gerry) building contractor starts out, business still in operation in 1980 with sons, Jim and Doug.

1924 Opening and dedication of Memorial Gates at the oval. Sebastopol Old Boys Association gave material assistance.

1925-26 (Advertisement): Court of Petty Sessions sits every Thursday at 3.00pm in Sebastopol Town Hall. Clerk of Courts - W W P Walsh.

1926 First petrol pump installed in Sebastopol at Tom Hughes grocery store. Pump made by Miller Bros.

1927-36 Great depression, many unemployed in Sebastopol.

1928 February, March: First tar deposited on Albert Street by council.
1928 April 12: CRB takes over Albert Street as Ballarat-Rokewood Road.
1928 May 10: CRB starts to form Albert Street at a cost of £1000. Council share £200. Progress Association operating and were responsible for constructing the local swimming pool. Old fire station shifted from one side of Albert Street to the other, with man power on rolling logs. Jack Greaves of Sebastopol (descendent of an old local family) was the fireman on the first engine into Alice Springs. Engine No. NM18.

1929 September: Sebastopol Football club premiers in Ballarat competition.
1929 December 21: First swimming carnival held at local pool. Baptist Church in Albert Street pulled down by E Jenkin, carpenter of Magpie. Fire Brigade completely rebuild and extend Fire Station.

1928 December-January 1929: CRB seals first part of Albert Street.

1930 Top story of Mechanics' Institute removed.

1929-32 Cricket teams at Carmel and Methodist Churches.

1931-32 Sebastopol Cricket club premiers in Ballarat League.

1932-33 Another premiership to Sebastopol Cricket club.

1934 The Fire Brigade acquires its first motorised vehicle.

1935 Table Tennis club first formed at Carmel.

1936 Sebastopol wins the Country Fire Demonstration aggregate at Geelong, winning the eights and sixes.

1936 January 20: King George V Memorial dedicated.
1936 April 18: Sporting World sports paper last issue. Football club again premiers.

1937 November 28: Unveiling and dedication of Soldiers Memorial at 3.00pm.

1938 September 14: Sebastopol Amateur Cycling club formed. Sebastopol decorated for centenary of settlement.

1939 March 10: Miss Lydia Jenkins of Sebastopol played in Victorian Ladies Cricket eleven against NSW and Queensland in Sydney.
1939 June 13: Black Friday. Temperature in Sebastopol 108 degrees F.
1939 September 3: 2nd World War declared. Football club premiers in Clunes League.

1939-45 Many Sebastopol men and women serve in second World War. Sebastopol Ladies Patriotic Fund operating.

1940 January 20: Foundation stones laid from old Rubicon Street Methodist Church and old Methodist Church in Birdwood Avenue to build combined Church in Albert Street.
1940 June 29: Last shoot on old rifle range, late Bert Reynolds last Captain.
December: Primitive Methodist Church demolished to make way for J Owen, Builder.

1941 First badminton in Sebastopol played in the back of the Mechanics' Institute.

1943 July: Max Lyle of Sebastopol in Victorian Roller Hockey team against NSW at Wirths Olympia.

1944 June 1: Sebastopol Free Kindergarten committee seeking a donation from the council towards its fund to establish a free kindergarten in Sebastopol.

1945 April: Weighbridge, owned by Mr Nankervous removed from near Rubicon Street.

1946 February 10: Sebastopol RSL and IAL formed.
1946 February 16: Sebastopol Mens Bowling club formed.
1946 March 7: Sebastopol Ladies Bowling club formed. Since winning their first pennant in 1947-48 the two clubs have been successful in winning 26 pennants in both indoor and outdoor bowls.
1946 March: Mrs Biddy Ryan of Sebastopol, then Corporal Biddy White, was the chauffeur for Lord and Lady Mountbatten when they visited Melbourne. Old Pyrites works demolished.

1948 August: Eclipse garage takes over from Jack Rodda on the north east corner of Albert and Rubicon Streets. Before this the large sheds were used by V Jermyns for the first World War surplus goods, and prior to that, it was a depot for Lal Lal coal.

1948-49 CRB became established in Orion Street, Sebastopol.

1949 February 5: Miss Lydia Jenkins plays with Victorian eleven against the visiting English ladies cricket team at Ballarat.

1949-50 Woodmasons operated a large hardware store for a short period on south east corner of Sayle and Yarrowee Streets.

1950-60 Progress Association reformed and operating.

1951 September: Eureka Valve commence operations in Beverin Street with three on payroll. Bill Rosenow, Manager. Football club premiers for four years in succession, 1950-51-52-53.

1951-52 Mining dumps carted away to form the bank of the White Swan Reservoir. The mines were: South Star, Star of the East No. 2, Sebastopol Star, Central Plateau No.1 and No. 2, Sebastopol Plateau, Prince of Wales and Bonshaw.

1952 June: Sebastopol branch Country Women's Association first formed. Sewerage connected to Sebastopol. St Joseph's Home kindergarten begins.

1954 November 6: Sebastopol kindergarten centre opened by Dr Barbara Merideth on South Star site.

1955 February 19: RSL Memorial Hall opened.

1955 September 15: Sebastopol Gun Club forms and signs agreement with the Borough council for use of part of the reserve. Since its beginning in 1955 the Gun Club has had some considerable distinction as several members have performed in trap shooting championships both here in Australia, and overseas. Brian Marks, Norm Patterson and Ron Cartledge in Australia, and Ron Cartledge in USA in August 1968.

1955 November 8: Sebastopol police and citizens boys club formed. Keith McColl of the Sebastopol Cycling club in the Victorian team to compete in the Australian championships.
1955 December 1: Old Boys Association finally wound up by the last president, the late Stan Harris. Equipment equally divided between Carmel, Zion Anglican and Methodist Churches.

1956 May 27: St James'' School opened by Rev J P O Collins, Catholic Bishop of Ballarat.

1957 Easter: Back to Sebastopol celebrations, with various functions extending right through the Easter period.
1957 May 13: Old IOR Hall sold and removed. Charlie Bilney of Sebastopol Cycling club in Australian championships.

1958 Water mains in Sebastopol were cement lined.
1958 August 27: New baby health centre opened by Mr G L Scott, MLA, assisted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Sebastopol Cr and Mrs L Spencer at 2.45pm.
1958 September 30: Permit granted by the council to build supper room, billiard room and gymnasium at the RSL Hall.

1958-1959 Old Town Hall pulled down and new offices being built.

1959 September: Sebastopol Red Cross formed, but branch had operated on previous occasions.
1959 December 22: Sebastopol Sporting club formed.

1959-60 December, January: Paddle Bros, Yarrowee Street commenced operations.

1960 Supervised school crossing began in Sebastopol, the first supervised crossing in Victoria.
1960 March 7: Sebastopol Primary School apply for warning signs to be erected at school crossing in Albert Street.
1960 March 19: First Sebastopol Gift Meeting at the reserve.
1960 June 2: Painting of Star of the East mine presented to council by Mrs Margaret Wright of Bendigo. Painting by Dr C Glendinning.
1960 June 30: Redan Primary School apply for school crossing to be monitored by senior pupils at corner of Albert and Hertford Streets. The two school crossings were first operated by senior pupils and supervised by Sebastopol and Redan head teachers and Constable Hetherington; a short time afterwards paid attendants operated the crossings, each pupil bringing a small sum of money to meet the cost. The two crossings were the first paid supervised crossings in Victoria and maybe Australia. Ken Calvert of Sebastopol Cycling club in Australian championships. December 20: New Town Hall and Library officially opened by Gordon Scott. J Tuppen Mayor.

1961 December 14: Mrs Diane Finlayson becomes the first female to be employed in the council offices.
1961 December 23: Drive-in Theatre opening night.

1962 February: Sebastopol Technical School opened for boys and girls. Ray Bilney of Sebastopol Cycling club in Australian championships. The brilliant fluorescent lighting in Albert Street switched on by 94 year old W Alfred Pryor. Cr Les Spencer Mayor.

1963 TAB opens in Rubicon Street.

1964 Centenary of the Borough of Sebastopol. Ray Bilney of Sebastopol Cycling club member of Australian team at the Tokyo Olympics.

1964-66 Doug Armstrong of the Sebastopol Cycling club competed against Italy in the World Cup, Germany in 1967, Japan in 1968, and again against Italy in 1969 and 70. He also competed for Australia at the Edinburgh Games in July 1970, and the South African combined games in March 1969.

1965 Football club again premiers. 1965 October 22: Sebastopol Technical School officially opened by Hon J S Bloomfield, MLA.

1966 February 14: Carmel boy Scout group first meeting.

1967 Football club again premiers.

1968 December 8: St James' Church opened by Most Rev J P O Collins, Catholic Bishop of Ballarat.

1969 Football club again premiers.
1969 December 7: Senior Citizens club formed in Town Hall.

1971 September 20: Tram service ends in Sebastopol.
1971 September 21: Buses commence service to Sebastopol from Ballarat.
1971 November 1: Sebastopol Meals on Wheels first meal served to Mr T Morgan by the then Mayor Cr Neville Donald. (141 meals now served each week).

1972 May: Sebastopol Lions club chartered, Laurie Watts first president.
1972 August 24: Viking Soccer club formed, oval on old St George mine site dam.

1973 March 9: Sebastopol Primary School No.1167 centenary.
1973 March 10: Bethal Hall opened by Rev R H Barnes.
1973 April 5: Ritchie's Supermarket registered for business.
1973 May 10: Last blacksmith's shop closes down in the Borough. Don Hanrahan prop.

1974 April: Seventh Day Adventist school opened in Yarrowee Street.
1974 December 4: Sebastopol Bowling club rooms opened.
1975 September: Football club premiers, Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh League.
1975 December 14: Colin Smith Memorial Velodrome opened by Hon A J Hunt.

1976 January 1: Wesleyan and Congregational (Zion) Churches combine.
1976 February 8: New fire track at the reserve opened by the Mayor Or M R Power. October: Adventure playground opened by the Mayor Cr M R Power, in St Georges reserve. TAB reopens on the corner of Albert and Hertford Streets.

1977 April: New tennis pavilion and courts opened by the Mayor Cr M R Power.
1977 June: Hayeslee Home for teenage girls opened in Clarkson Street.
1977 June 11: Cr Roy King awarded a British Empire Medal.
1977 June 22: Zion and Wesleylan Churches combine to inaugurate Sebastopol Uniting Church.
1977 July 2: RSL Hall handed over to the Borough council, first time in Victoria.
1977 July: Playground in Charlotte Street opened and named Tom Brown playground. Part of Albert Street becomes a divided highway.

1977-78 Were noted for the separate visits of several senior -79 members of Parliament.

1978 March: Miss Jenny Toll of Sebastopol chosen as Queen of Begonias.
1978 April 8 and 9: The new fire brigade judges box was opened during the State Junior Fire Demonstrations.
1978 August 14: Mr Greg Smith appointed first Recreation Officer in the Borough.
1978 September 10: W S Stephen Pavilion opened at the reserve by the Minister of Local Government, Mr Hunt.
1978 September 23: Official closing of Sebastopol Primary School No. 1167 by W F Stephen and Donald Gunn. Sebastopol Football club affiliated with Ballarat Football League. The Prime Minister Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser attends a dinner in his honour at Sebastopol Technical School.

1979 March 25: Sebastopol Community Centre opens in old primary school.
1979 March: Jack Jenkins of Sebastopol Bowling club becomes Champion of Champions in the BRBA.
1979 April 7: Opening of new Sebastopol Primary School by the Minister of Education, Mr L Thompson.
1979 May 2: New Senior Citizens clubrooms opened.
1979 June 20: Woolworth's Supermarket opens in Albert Street.
1979 June: The recreation reserve named the Marty Busch Memorial Sporting Complex. 1979 September 6: New State Savings Bank opened in Sebastopol by the Mayor, Or N Donald. Roundabout comes into use on the intersection of Albert and Hertford Streets.
1979 September 8: New Sebastopol Health Centre opens.
1979 October 4: Foamweld business burnt down in Hertford Street. $200,000 fire.
1979 December 11: At 8.00pm a new fire engine was handed over to the Mayor, Or N Donald who then handed the keys to fireman Capt Paul Jenkins. 1st new engine for the fire brigade.
1979 December 14: Sebastopol Historical Society opening meeting in their own room in the old primary school, opened by the Mayor Cr N Donald at 8.15pm. A clock placed on the outside of the Town Hall offices for the first time in its history. At time of publication the Borough Council is in the process of building squash courts at Victory Park and the Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre has completed plans for extensions to be built in Morgan Street.

Sebastopol Mechanics Institute 1864

The Sebastopol Mechanics' institute was opened on Thursday, 28 April 1864 at 7.00 o'clock in the evening. Dr Charles Kenworthy occupied the chair.

On the platform were seated the Rev Messrs Fraser, Waugh, Walker, Halley and Farr. Also Mr Thomas Lang, President of the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute.

Entertainment was provided by the Welsh Choir, Mr David Lloyd, conductor and Mr and Mrs Little. Mrs Little presided at the harmonium.

The evening's proceedings were commenced by the choir singing "God Bless the Prince of Wales".

The land on which the building is erected has been applied for on behalf of the committee by Dr Kenworthy, to whose strenuous exertions the success of the movement is mainly to be attributed; while the Mexican Gold Mining Co, on whose claim the ground is situated has kindly consented to its alienation.

The building is of brick and two stories high, and its erection was considered some six months previous.

The cost was £530, of which £400 had already been subscribed.

The building was already required by the ODD Fellows Society - The Masonic Lodge, the Local Temperance Society, the Primitive Methodist Church for Sunday morning services and the Congregationalists on the Sunday afternoons.

The size of the building was added to considerably over the next thirty (30) years as shown on the statistics 1867-94.

A full account of the opening is given in the Ballarat Star, 29 April 1864.

Alluvial Leads at Sebastopol

The main alluvial gold leads at Sebastopol were:

Golden Point Lead (Sebastopol Section) - some of the mines on this lead were: Band of Hope No 3, St George No 2, Albion No 1, Albion No 5, Winter's Freehold No 1, Star of The East No 4, Morgan's Shaft, Camp Claim, Whip Shaft, Phoenix Co, Sebastopol Plateau No 1, Prince Imperial, Cherry Tree Flat Co, Albion Consols, Lone Hand, Crescent Shaft, Cambrian Shaft.

Woolshed Lead - some of the mines on this lead were: St George Co, Hercukes, Victory, Poptomac, Trafalgar, St George United Co, Albion No 1, St George and Band of Hope United Co, Guiding Star, Red Jacket.

Terrible Lead - some of the mines on this lead were: Last of the Mohicans Claim, Junction Claim.

Lord Raglan Lead - some of the mines on this lead were: Prince of Wales Mine No 1, Dickinson's Freehold Mine.

Long Gully Lead - some of the mines on this lead were: Lady Mary Mine, Long Tunnel Mine, Zulu, Prince of Wales, Bonshaw.

White Horse Lead - some of the mines on this lead were: Dalzell-Buchanan, Lady Jane, Swipers Mob, The Royal Charter Co, The victoria Co, The White Star Co, The Flying Dutchman Co, The Champion of the Seas Co, The Opossum Co, The Heart and Anchor Co, The Leviathan Co, Kangaroo Co, The Pilot Co, Tam O'Shanter Co, The Golden Horn Co, The red Jacket Co, The Golden Slate Co, Forty Thieves Co, United Red Jacket.

Frenchman's Lead - some of the mines on this lead were: The Newcastle Party, Black Flag Co, Yankee Co, Twelve Apostles Co, Co-operation Co, Alma Co, Enterprise Co, Hand-in-Hand Co, Equitable Co, Redan Co, Kangaroo Co, United Miner's Co, Round Tower Co, Cumberland Durham and Cornish Co, Defiance Co No 1, Bullock Horn Co, Nelson and Wellington, Working Miners Co, Evening Star Co, United Working Miner's Co, Albion Co

Cobbler's Lead - some of the mines on this lead were: Try Again Claim, Camp Claim, Blue Jacket Claim, Long Funnel Claim, The Prince of Wales Co No 1, No 2 and No 3.

Deep Lead or Gutter to the South - some of the mines on this lead were: Sebastopol No 1, Prince of Wales and Bonshaw, Great Gulf Mine, Bonshaw No 1, Alston and Weardale, Scottish and Cornish No 1 & No 2, Leviathan No 1 & No 2.

Quartz Lodes at Sebastopol

• Consols Lode - runs south between Orion and Yarowee Streets. Mines on this lode were: The Star of the East No 1, South Star, Picton Shaft, Gay Star No 1, Gay Star No 2, Gays Band Shaft, Owen's Freehold Shaft, Sebastopol Star.
  
  
• Guiding Star Lode - runs south between Albert and Clarkson, Beverin and Spencer Streets. Mines on this lode were: The Guiding Star, Star of the east No 2, Central Plareau, Sebastopol Plateau, South Plateau (later The South Star Extended No 1).
  
  
• Albion Lode - runs south between Alfred and Alexandria Streets. Mines on this lode were: drives from all mines on the Guiding Star lode, Central Plateau No 2, North Central Co
  
  

Early Sebastopol Hotels

Locations in and around Sebastopol

Mayors of Sebastopol 1865-1991

The election for the first council for the Borough of Sebastopol was help in December 1864. 

The nine elected councillors to serve as the first councillors were: 

F BEVERIN, E RICHARDS, G C ROBINSON, J EDWARDS, Thos DICKINSON, Robert MILES, G TAIT, J C ROWLANDS and J VICKERS. 

Unsuccessful candidates at the first election were: 

J WATERS, G L HILLAS, J MORGAN, G STUART and H J OWEN.

Mayors of Sebastopol from 1865 to 1991 were:

• 1865-66 F F BEVERIN
• 1866-67 Isaac VICKERS
• 1867-68 Thos DICKINSON
• 1868-69 John WHITTAKER
• 1869-70 John EDWARDS
• 1870-71 Thos DICKINSON
• 1871-72 John MORRIS
• 1872-73 Thomas BRAY
• 1873-74 Nicholas KENT
• 1874-75 Peter ALROE
• 1875-76 James BARRIE
• 1876-77 J H ELSWORTH
• 1877-78 David HUGHES
• 1878-79 David HUGHES
• 1879-80 Thos H GRAY
• 1880-81 Thos H GRAY
• 1881-82 James LECKIE
• 1882-83 James LECKIE
• 1883-84 J H ELSWORTH
• 1884-85 J H ELSWORTH
• 1885-86 William HICKS
• 1886-87 Henry MATHES
• 1887-88 Thos DICKINSON
• 1888-89 W L WILLIAMS
• 1889-90 David HUGHES
• 1890-91 James LECKIE
• 1891-92 Nicholas KENT
• 1892-93 F H INGLE
• 1893-94 Charles BLYTH
• 1894-95 Henry CLARK
• 1895-96 Jas STRICKLAND
• 1896-97 Thos DICKINSON
• 1897-98 David HUGHES
• 1898-99 Henry MATHES
• 1899-00 Geo ROWSELL
• 1900-01 W H FRANKLIN
• 1901-02 John E JONES
• 1902-03 F H INGLE
• 1903-04 Thos DICKINSON
• 1904-05 David HUGHES
• 1905-06 Henry MATHES
• 1906-07 Henry CLARK
• 1907-08 Wm H FRANKLIN
• 1908-09 Wm A MADDEN
• 1909-10 John E JONES
• 1910-11 David HUGHES
• 1911-12 John HOPKINS
• 1912-13 Thos DICKINSON Jnr
• 1913-14 George KIERL
• 1914-15 Henry CLARK
• 1915-16 Wm H FRANKLIN
• 1916-17 John E JONES
• 1917-18 Evan JENKINS
• 1918-19 David HUGHES
• 1919-20 John HOPKINS
• 1920-21 Wm A MADDEN
• 1921-22 Wm H WALLIS
• 1922-23 Wm H FRANKLIN
• 1923-24 John E JONES
• 1924-25 Thos HUGHES
• 1925-26 Wm R AISBETT
• 1926-27 Martin R BUSCH
• 1927-28 Thos H ELLIS
• 1928-29 Evan JENKINS
• 1929-30 John E JONES
• 1930-31 Ernest N KENT
• 1931-32 Wm R AISBETT
• 1932-33 Martin R BUSCH
• 1933-34 Evan JENKINS
• 1934-35 F H MILLER
• 1935-36 James F OWEN
• 1936-37 H V REYNOLDS
• 1937-38 James E TUPPEN
• 1938-39 F W MILLER
• 1939-40 Ernest N KENT
• 1940-41 F W RICHARDSON
• 1941-42 H V REYNOLDS
• 1942-43 James E TUPPEN
• 1943-44 Geo W TURNER *
• 1943-44 James E TUPPEN
• 1944-45 James E TUPPEN
• 1945-46 F W MILLER
• 1946-47 James F OWEN
• 1947-48 H V REYNOLDS
• 1948-49 H C ELLS WORTH
• 1949-50 H V REYNOLDS
• 1950-51 James F OWEN
• 1951-52 W R JENKINS
• 1952-53 W R HEARN
• 1953-54 H V REYNOLDS
• 1954-55 James E TUPPEN
• 1955-56 John RAE
• 1956-57 K A LANE
• 1957-58 A L SPENCER
• 1958-59 W R HEARN
• 1959-60 H V REYNOLDS
• 1960-61 James E TUPPEN
• 1961-62 Frank S WILSON
• 1962-63 A Leslie SPENCER
• 1963-64 Robt L WHITTA
• 1964-65 Clive E DELLAR
• 1965-66 Mrs L M TURNER
• 1966-67 Neville F D DONALD
• 1967-68 Frank B HOGAN
• 1968-69 Ronald Wm LEE
• 1969-70 Francis R TAYLOR
• 1970-71 Neville F D DONALD
• 1971-72 Neville F D DONALD
• 1972-73 Roy A KING
• 1973-74 Roy A KING
• 1974-75 Neville F D DONALD
• 1975-76 Maxwell R POWER
• 1976-77 Maxwell R POWER
• 1978-79 Graham B COLLINS
• 1979-80 Neville F D DONALD
• 1980-81 Maxwell R POWER
• 1981-82 Roy A KING
• 1982-83 Keith M LAWRENCE
• 1983-84 Neville F D DONALD
• 1984-85 Graham B COLLINS
• 1985-86 Graham B COLLINS
• 1986-87 Neville F D DONALD
• 1987-88 Neville F D DONALD
• 1988-89 Lawrence G HOCKING
• 1989-90 Geoffrey Paul JENKINS
• 1990-91 Karen M OVERINGTON

Sebastopol Street Names